Judge Karen Howze ordered Rico Carr and Robert Crowder held Thursday pending a preliminary hearing on October 15. They are suspected of participating in the 2010 stabbing death of 19-year-old Kelvin Jamal Willis. The two men remain held pending a preliminary hearing October 15.
Police found Willis November 6, 2010 at approximately 3:30 am on the unit block of N Street Northwest suffering from multiple stab wounds. He was transported to a local hospital where he remained for more than two weeks.
Arrest documents state that while in the hospital, Willis told police that he was attacked by three men who robbed him of his wallet, then stabbed him several times with a knife. Willis told members of his family that the three men also took his coat, charging documents state.
Willis died from his injuries on Nov. 22, 2010; his death was ruled a homicide.
Police arrested Ladonte Hawkins August 21, and charged him as one of the three alleged suspects who participated in the robbing and stabbing of Willis. More than a month later, police arrested Carr and Crowder on suspicion of first-degree murder in Willis’ death.
According to charging documents, witnesses told police that Hawkins, Crowder and Carr were the three people involved in the attack on Willis.
One witness said moments before the stabbing the three suspects were walking with Willis in the mouth of an alley in the unit block of Hanover Street Northwest when Hawkins and Carr began talking about robbing Willis of his coat, documents state. Hawkins punched Willis in his chin, while Carr pointed a gun at Willis demanding his coat. Hawkins reached into Willis’ pocket and took his wallet, the witness said.
As Willis removed his coat, the witness heard Crowder yell, “You’re taking too long.” The witness said Crowder pulled out a knife and stabbed Willis several times, charging documents state.
Another witness told police that they saw Crowder leaving an alley near the crime scene moments after the stabbing.
Court documents state that the witness saw Crowder carrying a black coat, and later saw Crowder washing blood from his hands. When the witness asked Crowder where he got the coat, Crowder said that he stabbed someone, adding that he thought he killed the guy, the witness said according to court documents.
Charging documents state that in an interview with police, Crowder denied ever being at the scene of the crime.
Charging documents have been added to this post.
